Irish Daily Star Editor Suspended Over Kate Middleton Topless Photos: Report
The Irish Daily Star's editor Mike O'Kane has been suspended after the tabloid published the photos of Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton sunbathing topless in Southern France.
O'Kane has been suspended from his job pending a full investigation, according to a report from RTE News Monday.
The tabloid published pictures of Middleton sunbathing topless in a Southern France private home, but its editor Mike O'Kane stood by his decision.
"The Duchess would be no different to any other celeb pics we would get in, for example Rihanna or Lady Gaga," O'Kane told the BBC.
"She's not the future queen of Ireland so really the only place this is causing fury seems to be in the UK," he added.
St. James' Palace rebuked the tabloid's actions.
"There can be no motivation for this action other than greed," a spokesperson for the Palace said.
The tabloid also faced backlash from publisher Northern & Shell which has a joint venture with Ireland's Independent News and Media for the tabloid.
"I am very angry at the decision to publish these photographs and am taking immediate steps to close down the joint venture," Northern & Shell Chairman Richard Desmond told the BBC.
"The decision to publish these pictures has no justification whatever and Northern & Shell condemns it in the strongest possible terms."
Independent News and Media also rebuked the publication of the photos saying it was "regrettable and in poor taste."
On Monday, Italy's Chi Magazine followed in the steps of France's Closer Magazine and published the photographs.
Prince William and Kate Middleton are preparing to file a criminal lawsuit against the photographer and Closer Magazine.
